“Grown up football writing”

New this quarter

Issue Twenty Six

Out now

First published in September 2017, Issue Twenty Six contains 23 articles in 7 sections, including Simon Hughes on what fan-owned clubs say about alienation from the Premier League, Priya Ramesh on how Dirk Kuyt helped Feyenoord end an 18-year drought, Manoj Narayan on why last season's champions are facing relegation in a shake-up of Indian football, and Philippe Auclair, Jonathan Northcroft, Tim Vickery and Brian Oliver, among others, look at their favourite stadiums.

Issue Twenty Five

Out now

First published in June 2017, Issue Twenty Five contains 18 articles in 7 sections, including: Luke Edwards on why Leyton Orient's slide out of the league matters, Felix Lill and Javier Sauras on the growth of football in Cuba, Igor Rabiner on how Monaco have reinvented themselves and Andrew Lees' personal quest into the life story of Brazilian great Garrincha.

Issue Twenty Four

Out now

First published in March 2017, Issue Twenty Four contains 19 articles in 7 sections, including: Anthony Clavane on the decline of heavy industry and the sad logic of Brexit in Yorkshire; Peter Frankopan looking at how in politics, economics and football the role of Asia is becoming more significant; and David Stubbs on the glorious summer of 1996 when all things seemed possible.

Issue Twenty Three

Out now

First published in December 2016, Issue Twenty Three contains 18 articles in 6 sections, including: Paul Simpson on the end of Ron Knee and Private Eye's relationship with football; Joe Devine talks to David Icke about football's role as an opiate to suppress the masses; and Rupert Fryer with a selection of nutmegs for the ages.

Issue Twenty Two

Out now

First published in September 2016, Issue Twenty Two contains 17 articles in 6 sections, including: Shaul Adar on football, family and the improbable success of Hapoel Be'er Sheva; Sam Wetherell on what San Jose Earthquakes tell us about the condition of Major League Soccer; and Juliet Jacques interviews Lilian Thuram on 1998, social cohesion and the importance of football as a political tool.

Issue Twenty One

Out now

First published in June 2016, Issue Twenty One contains 15 articles in 8 sections, including: James Montague visiting Albania to get the lowdown on Ismail Morina and the drone controversy; Igor Rabiner on how a fall from a tree set Leonid Slutsky on his way to the top; and Amy Lawrence curates a people's history of the 1966 World Cup.

Issue Twenty

Out now

First published in March 2016, Issue Twenty contains 20 articles in 10 sections, including: Robin Bairner explaining why Hampden Park's old goalposts have pride of place in St-Étienne's club museum; the playwright Patrick Marber discusses football, drama, and his football drama; and Nick Miller with the unusual story of how a united Ireland side took on Brazil at the height of the Troubles and almost won.

Issue Nineteen

Out now

First published in December 2015, Issue Nineteen contains 22 articles in 11 sections, including: Jonathan Wilson on José Mourinho, his methods, and why it always goes wrong in his third season; Felix Lill and Javier Sauras explore the history of Tasmania Berlin, the Bundesliga's worst ever team; and Rupert Fryer on the Peter Principle, and how promotion to a level of incompetence exists in football as well as business.

Issue Eighteen

Out now

First published in September 2015, Issue Eighteen contains 20 articles in 8 sections, including: Scott Murray explains how Steve Nicol, not Barnes, Aldridge or Beardsley, was key to Liverpool's 1988-88 title win; Tsjalle van der Burg examines whether putting football on pay-TV actually makes any sense; and Jonathan Wilson on how under Jorge Sampaoli Chile discovered a pragmatic edge to win their first trophy.

Issue Seventeen

Out now

First published in June 2015, Issue Seventeen contains 19 articles in 8 sections, including: Miguel Delaney talking to Paul Breitner on how a defeat for Bayern Munich paved the way for West Germany's 1974 World Cup win; Alexander Shea asks whether fans can fight back against clubs who seek to ignore their history for bland branding; and Michael Yokhin with a selection of giants who were unexpectedly relegated.

Issue Sixteen

Out now

First published in March 2015, Issue Sixteen contains 18 articles in 8 sections, including: Louise Phillips examining how celebrated minnows Hereford United were let collapse into bankruptcy; James Corbett visits Qatar to find out what the reality is regarding the World Cup preparations on the ground; and Paul Simpson tries to establish which manager has been the most influential in inspiring future generations.

Issue Fifteen

Out now

First published in December 2014, Issue Fifteen contains 20 articles in 8 sections, including: Jim Davies and Juan Felipe Rubio spend two days with Faustino Asprilla on his ranch in rural Colombia; George Caulkin on Mike Ashley and the cheapening of the Newcastle dream; and Denis Law speaks to Dominic Bliss about the year he spent playing for Torino in Serie A.

Issue Fourteen

Out now

First published in September 2014, Issue Fourteen contains 20 articles in 7 sections, including: Ben Lyttleton trying to find out why the Dutch lost yet again on penalties; Elko Born on Johan Cruyff and the struggle for the soul of Dutch football; and Philippe Auclair revisits the kidnapping attempt on France manager Michel Hidalgo on the eve of the 1978 World Cup.

Issue Thirteen

Out now

First published in June 2014, Issue Thirteen contains 19 articles in 7 sections, including: Uli Hesse reporting on the meeting between East and West Germany at the 1974 World Cup; Mike Phillips on how the Switzerland national team became part of the debate on immigration; and a look back at two Greatest Games - Hungary 4-2 Uruguay from the 1954 World Cup, and Italy 3-2 Brazil from the 1982 World Cup.

Issue Twelve

Out now

First published in March 2014, Issue Twelve contains 20 articles in 9 sections, including: Rabin Bairner's touching story of the French international who underwent knee surgery in 1982 and has yet to wake up; Philippe Auclair on whether the lessons of chess show football the way to an exciting new future; and Miguel Delaney interviews Johann Cruyff on his role in creating the Barcelona style and modern football.

Issue Eleven

Out now

First published in December 2013, Issue Eleven contains 21 articles in 9 sections, including: Igor Rabiner's journey with Avram Grant through Siberia to find the graves of his grandparents, Sam Kelly's interview with Horacio Elizondo, the man who sent of Zidane in the World Cup final; and Andi Thomas on the strange world of the back-up goalkeeper.

Issue Ten

Out now

First published in September 2013, Issue Ten contains 22 articles in 10 sections, including: Richard Fitzpatrick looking back to an extraordinary example of match-fixing between Liverpool and Manchester United; Simon Kuper on how the Euro 88 semi-finals marked the peak of the Dutch-German football rivalry; and Miguel Delaney's Greatest Games piece on the AC Milan 2-1 Benfica European Cup final of 1963.

Issue Nine

Out now

First published in June 2013, Issue Nine contains 21 articles in 11 sections, including: Gwendolyn Oxenham's experience searching for a kickabout in Iran being complicated by religion and gender politics; Zbigniew Boniek in conversation on Juventus, the modern game and his friendship with Michel Platini; and Igor Rabiner interviews Lev Yashin's widow on her recollections of the great goalkeeper.

Issue Eight

Out now

First published in March 2013, Issue Eight contains 21 articles in 10 sections, including: Roy Henderson examining José Mourinho's cult of personality and how his charismatic authority fosters loyalty; Lars Sivertsen on how Zlatan Ibrahimović's upbringing shaped the footballer he became; and Scott Murray on the key moments in the history of televised football.

Issue Seven

Out now

First published in December 2012, Issue Seven contains 20 articles in 9 sections, including: Espen Baardsen opening up on why he quit football at 25 for a career in finance; Carl Worswick on how the Colombian government set up 'El Dorado', the world's richest league; and features on the Victorian journalism that helped shaped the modern perception of football.

Issue Six

Out now

First published in September 2012, Issue Six contains 20 articles in 10 sections, including: Gabriele Marcotti's radical plan to rejig television schedules for the betterment of the game; Brendan Rodgers discusses the importance of possession football and what he's learned from José Mourinho; and Barney Ronay on how social media came into its own in Euro 2012.

Issue Five

Out now

First published in June 2012, Issue Five contains 19 articles in 10 sections, including: Philippe Auclair investigating why Michel Platini vote for Qatar and James Corbett on the significant unanswered questions about the World Cup bidding process; Ben Mabley on how fan culture is challenging Japanese social hierarchies; and Claus Lundekvam opening up to Lars Sivertsen on his battle against drink and drug addiction.

Issue Four

Out now

First published in March 2012, Issue Four contains 22 articles in 10 sections, including: Jonathan Wilson on how Zambia's emotional triumph restored zest to the Cup of Nations; Graham Hunter exploring how Xavi emerged as the creative hub of the world's greatest team; and Dan Edwards' Greatest Games feature looking back at the Intercontinental Cup final play-off between Racing and Celtic in 1967.

Issue Three

Out of stock

First published in December 2011, Issue Three is now out of stock and won't be reprinted. It contains 22 articles in 10 sections, including: Tim Vickery talking to Mario Zagallo and Tostão about 1970, Pelé and the Brazilian style; Barney Ronay on how modern football was shaped in a World War One internment camp; and Davidde Corran with the story of how Australia sent their national team to Saigon at the height of the Vietnam war.

Issue Two

Out of stock

First published in September 2011, Issue Two contains 17 articles in 11 sections, including: Gabriele Marcotti's teenage reminiscences of Italia 90; Uli Hesse reporting how Borussia Dortmund came back from the verge of extinction to win the Bundesliga title; and Rob Smyth talking with Barry Davies, reliving some of his old memories and discussing the state of modern commentary.

Issue One

Out of stock

First published in June 2011, Issue One is now out of stock and won't be reprinted. It contains 22 articles in 11 sections, including: Dominic Sandbrook examining how the ignominious exits of a US president and Leeds United manager overshadow their successes; Sid Lowe in conversation with Pep Guardiola's mentor, Juanma Lillo; and Dave Farrar on the fairy story of Denmark's 1992 European Championship campaign.

Issue Zero

Out now

The second edition of our pilot issue, first published in March 2011 and reprinted in 2015, contains 25 articles in 13 separate sections. See where it all began, including: Uli Hesse exploring how St Pauli are having to balance their ethos with a desire for a secure future; Scott Murray on how Roy Race ruined English football; and Michael Cox's exploration of how a theory of political polling explains why New Labour were like Dennis Bergkamp.